Roberts, Kane re-elected to UMWA leadership posts

date:

August 3, 2009

For immediate release?:

United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts and International Secretary-Treasurer Daniel J. Kane have received sufficient nominations from UMWA local unions to be reelected to their posts for a new five-year term.

“Dan and I are very humbled and honored to be given the opportunity by the membership of the UMWA to serve another term as their President and Secretary-Treasurer,” Roberts said. “We look forward to confronting the challenges that face our members in the upcoming years, and continuing our fight to improve the jobs, wages and benefits of active and retired UMWA members.

“Dan and I keep in our hearts the words of the great John L. Lewis, who said, ‘I derive my strength from the membership of the United Mine Workers of America,’” Roberts said. “We know that with the continued support and solidarity of our membership, nothing can defeat us.”

The period for nominations closed on Aug. 1. To date, the union’s Auditor/Tellers have received nominations from 270 local unions. No other candidates have received nominations for any International office, though local unions have until Aug. 15 to return nominations to the International Auditor/Tellers.

Roberts, who with 14 years in office is the second-longest serving President of the UMWA after Lewis, noted that the Auditor/Tellers will certify the election within a few weeks after the August 15 deadline.

The UMWA Constitution mandates that candidates for President, Secretary-Treasurer and At-Large International Vice President receive nominations from at least 20 percent of local unions union-wide. Candidates for International District Vice President and International Auditor/Teller must receive 20 percent of the nominations from the jurisdictions they represent.